Posted: April 10th, 2015

Innovative technologies that changed the way we listen/purchase music

Innovative technologies that changed the way we listen/purchase music

You are required to write an essay 3,000 words or more.
a) To describe, in detail and in your own words, one OR more innovation theories of your choice (a maximum of two innovation theories is strongly recommended),
AND
b) To apply each of your chosen theory or theories in explaining the historical development of one or more products and/or services and/or organization processes, also of your choice, and in predicting the possible future development of your products or services.  You may choose consumer and/or non-consumer products, services, and/or organizational processes for your application.  In this part of your essay you are required to provide a critical analysis of the developmental trajectory of your invention and to suggest how your chosen theory or theories may help in illuminating the historical and future development of the invention.  In undertaking a critical analysis, due consideration must be given to contributory factors in the commercial success of your products, services, or processes that have contributed to moving the products etc. beyond an interesting invention (“something new” in the market) to an innovative product, service, or process.
Please be specific in explaining which part/s of your chosen theory you are applying, and how you propose to apply your theory, firstly in explaining the historical development of your product/service/process, and secondly in predicting one or more ways in which your product/service/process may develop in future.  The more specific and detailed your explanation of how your theory or theories help (or do not help) you explain and predict your chosen products etc. the higher your mark is likely to be.
Indicative Marking Scheme for Individual Essays:
1. Detailed analysis of the student’s chosen theory or theories of innovation, including an explanation of why the chosen theory or theories are important and a discussion of the theory or theories’ strengths and weaknesses: 25%
2. Application of the chosen theory or theories in explaining a) the historical development of one or more products, services, and/or processes in the market, and b) its possible future development trajectory based on the student’s interpretation of specific elements of h/er chosen theories: 25%
3. Structure and content in the evaluation and presentation of the student’s analysis, including relevant application of diagrams, tables and appendices, as appropriate: 20%
4. Preparation and presentation (length, use of academic conventions, grammar, paragraphing, layout, and proofreading): 15%
5. Evidence of imagination and thought in interpreting the student’s theories to produce an interesting and plausible account of the innovation’s historical and future development: 15%

Your assignment should be between 3,000 and 4,000 words, and must be no longer than 4,000 words, excluding references and any appendices, tables, and/or diagrams.
NB:  Marks will be awarded for your ability to integrate, in a relevant way in your essay, some of the literature, theories, models, and/or frameworks of innovation from the module.  Marks will also be awarded for your imaginative use of concepts from within and beyond the innovation literature to explain and predict the development of your chosen innovative products, services, or processes.
9. Reading and Reference Lists